Convertible sofa-bed



May 9, 1961 R. GOODMAN CONVERTIBLE SOFA-BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1. 1959 INVENTOR. ROBERT GOODMAN ATTORNEYS- May 9, 1961 R. GOODMAN CONVERTIBLE SOFA-BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 1. 1959 INVENTOR. ROBERT GOODMAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,932,975 CONVERTIBLE SOFA-BED Robert Goodman, 5319 Westminster Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.

Filed Dec. 1, 1959, Ser. No. 856,481

4 Claims. c1. -13

This invention relates to convertible sofa-beds, and it more particularly relates to improvements in the framework thereof.

The framework of sofa-beds of the type here involved generally consists of a plurality of sections pivotally connected to each other and movable from a folded position, wherein the sections overlie each other to form a sofa, to an extended position wherein the sections are horizontally aligned to form a bed. Suitable supporting and locking linkage is provided between the sections.

The aforementioned sections are generally constructed of an encompassing rectangular, angle-iron frame between which is tautly stretched a lattice of $Pring crosswires. This spring wire lattices is arranged to support a mattress or the like when the device is inits extended bed position while the spring Wires of the outermost section (which is also the uppermost section when the device is in the folded position) serves to support the sofa cushions.

Although the central portion between the rectangular frame is of flexible spring wires, as described above, the outermost section is provided with a longitudinal support bar along the innermost longitudinal edge when the device is in its extended bed position, this same section being uppermost when the device is in its folded sofa position. This support bar is necessary to serve as a support for the sofa cushions.

When the above-described device is in the open bed position, the longitudinal support bar acts as a rigid brace means which forms an unyieldable and uncomfortable obstruction for occupants of the bed. On the other hand, when the device is in its folded sofa position, the rigid frame and its tautly stretched spring-wire lattice forms an equally unyieldable and uncomfortable support for the sofa cushions.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above as well as other disadvantages by providing a sofa-bed having a flexible sofa-cushion support when the sofa-bed is in its folded sofa position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sofa-bed of the aforesaid type which is substantially "ice Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the framework in extended position, the frame being shown with the outer coverings removed.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed, elevational view of the flexible support means.

Fig. 5 isa view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig.6 is a fragmentary, elevational view, partly broken away, of the device in folded position.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the de vice in partially folded position.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 7, but showing the device in completely folded position.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there is shown a sofa-bed, generally designated .10, which comprises a back-rest 12, arms 14, supporting feet 16 and a mounting bracket 18 connected to Since each side of the hinged sections is identical, only.

one side will be described in detail. With this understood, it should be noted that the hinged sections comprise an inner section 22 pivoted at 24 to a curved link 26. The link 26 is itself pivotally connected at 28 to the upper end of a post 30 extending upwardly from its re spective mounting bracket 18,

The section 22 is pivoted at its opposite end, as 'by means of pivot connection 32, to one end of an intermediate section 34. The opposite end of section 34 is, in turn, pivotally connected at 36 to an outer section 38.

At each side of the sofa-bed is provided a linkage assembly for operating the sections of the sofa-bed. These linkage assemblies each include the aforesaid curved link 26 which is pivoted at 40 to one end of a bent link 42.

The opposite end of the link 42 is pivoted at 44 to one.

\ end to one end of a link 57. The link 57 is pivoted at flexible throughout its sleeping area when it is in the extended bed position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sofa-bed of the aforesaid type which is relatively simple in construction, easy to manipulate into its various positions of adjustment, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects andr'nany of the .attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a front perspective view of a sofa-bed embodying the present invention, the device being shown in the folded sofa position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the device in the open bed position.

58 to section 22 while the link 54 is pivoted at 59 to the intermediate section 34.

The pivot 44 also acts to connect one end of a leg 60 to plate 46. The leg 60 is provided at its free end with a rolled foot 62, while just above this foot, the leg 60 said pivot connection 56.

The plate 46 is further connected by pivot 70 to a link 72 whichjis bent at its intermediate portion and is then pivoted at 74 to a leg 76. The leg 76 is pivoted at 78 to a bracket 80 connected to the section 38, this bracket being integral with a tubular front rail 81.. 1

The section 22 is also pivotally connected intermediate its ends, as at 82, to a link 84, the other end ofthis link 84 being pivoted at 86 to the bracket 18. V

Theplate 46 is additionally provided with an extension 88 extending diagonally rearwardly from the lower end thereof. To this extension 88 is connected a movable front rail 90 adapted to mate with the fixed front rail 20 in the folded position of the sofa-bed.

The above-described linkage acts to pivot the plate 46 around to the position shown in Fig. 6 when the outermost section 38 is turned over into its uppermost folded position. In such folded position, the movable front rail 90 will lie forwardly of the section 34 which will, in this folded position, extend vertically upward. This movement into the folded position also automatically moves the legs 60 and 76 into horizontal position by means of their respective links 64 and 72.

The framework is provided with a mattress-supporting spring wire network 89 in the plane of the framework itself, the portion of this network in section 38 being designated 91.

There is also provided an auxiliary cushion-supporting spring wire network 92 which extends down below the plane of network 91 when the sofa-bed is in the bed position of Fig. 3 and above the plane of network 91 when the device is in the sofa position of Fig. 6. The network 92 is supported at its opposite ends by coil springs 94 connected to bars 96 on each side of section 38. The outer side of network 92 is furthermore connected at 98 to the bracket 80 while its inner side is connected to a bar 100 preferably formed of tubular metal.

The tubular bar 100 has flattened ends 102 riveted or otherwise secured at 104 to one end of a spring arm 106. The opposite end of the spring arm 106 is connected at 108 to the intermediate section 34. The arrangement is such that the bar 100 underlies the pivot connection 36 between sections 34 and 38.

By means of the above construction, the bar 100, which supports the spring network 92, Will not press into the body of an occupant of the bed lying thereover but will flexibly yield beneath his weight. On the other hand, when the device is in the folded sofa position, the spring network 92 will overlie the rigid frame section 38 and the spring network 91 tautly stretched between the bars of the frame section. In this manner, the spring network 92 acts as an effective flexible support for the sofa cushions which adds greatly to the comfort of anyone sitting on the sofa.

The sofa-bed is illustrated in the open position in Fig. 3 whereby the legs 60 and 76 support the extended framework, the curved link 26 is in a substantially horizontal position, the front rail 90 is below the framework, the links 64 and 72 act as brace means for the legs and the framework, and the auxiliary network 92 is suspended below the main network by the spring arms 106.

When it is desired to fold up the sofa-bed, the front rail 81 is grasped and pulled upwardly and then inwardly. In the intermediate position during the closing movement (as shown in Fig. 7), the legs 60 and 76 have been pulled clear of the floor with the leg 76 projecting out horizontally. The linkages are still in substantially the same position as in Fig. 3 except that the outer section of the framework has been pivoted 90 degrees around pivot 44 into the vertical position.

When the device has been pulled into the completely folded position (as in Fig. 8), the rail 81 is positioned at the rear, the curved link 26 is in substantially the vertical position, the front rail 90 is in vertical alignment and sits on top of front rail 20 and intermediate section 34 is at a slightly inwardly inclined vertical position. The outer section 38 is, of course, on top and above that is the auxiliary network 92.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A sofa-bed comprising a support means, a mattress holder and linkage connecting said mattress holder to said support means, said mattress holder comprising a framework having a spring wire network stretched between its sides, said framework including an inner section, an intermediate section and an outer section, each of said sections including opposed, parallel side members, an auxiliary spring wire network positioned substantially parallel to the first-mentioned spring wire network on said outer section, said auxiliary networkbeing supported at one end by said outer section and at its opposite end by a rigid bar, said rigid bar being connected by spring arms to said intermediate section, the ends of said rigid bar at least partially overlapping the side members of said intermediate section, said auxiliary network being below said first-mentioned network when said sofa-bed is in an extended position with said sections in a common plane, and above said first-mentioned network when said sofabed is in a folded position with the other section above the inner section.

2. The sofa-bed of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a pair of oppositely-disposed mounting brackets, each of said brackets being connected to the inner side of a sofa arm, there being a sofa arm at each end of said sofa-bed, and a back rest extending between said sofa arms.

3. A sofa-bed comprising a support means, a mattress holder and linkage connecting said mattress holder to said support means, said mattress holder comprising a generally rectangular framework having a spring wire network stretched between the sides thereof, said mattress holder including an inner section pivotally connected to said support means, an intermediate section pivotally connected to said inner section and an outer section pivotally connected to said intermediate section, said intermediate section being substantially smaller than said inner and outer sections, said sections being movable into and out of an extended position and into and out of a folded position, collapsible legs connected to said framework, said legs being connected to said framework by linkage acting to hold said legs in vertical supporting position when said sections are in said extended position and to collapse said legs into horizontal position when said sections are in said folded position, and an auxiliary spring wire network connected to said outer section in underlying relationship to the first-mentioned spring wire network when said sections are in extended position and in overlying relationship thereto when said sections are in folded position, said auxiliary network being supported at one side by the framework portion of said third section and at the opposite side by a bar extending longitudinally of said sofa-bed, said bar being supported at opposite ends by spring arms connected to said intermediate section and having a length sufiicient to provide at least a partial overlapping of the framework portion of said intermediate section.

4. The sofa-bed of claim 3 wherein said support means comprises a pair of oppositely-disposed mounting brackets, each of said brackets being connected to the inner side of a sofa arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,333,087 Bayer Nov. 2, 1943 2,634,427 Wodarsky Apr. 14, 1953 2,653,329 Coopersmith Sept. 29, 1953 2,770,814 Schindler Nov. 20, 1956 2,788,845 Bond et a1 Apr. 16, 1957 

